The City boss was rewarded in spades for staying loyal to Caballero, who has been his domestic cup keeper and key to getting them into the Capital One final against Liverpool. Caballero played in every minute of his side’s League Cup run.

Willy Caballero makes one of his three vital saves Photo: Getty

Despite his cup record, there was a lot of concern from fans ahead of the final once news got out Joe Hart would not be starting.

Pellegrini goes with Willy Caballero in goal ahead of Joe Hart - have to admire his loyalty...I think.

This isn’t Caballero’s first stint under Pellegrini, having served under him at Malaga previously. Caballero stated last week he was determined to see the Chilean leave City as a winner.

“He has given me the confidence I need by playing me in this sort of game,” said Caballero. “That's been really important for me, but for him it's important to win.”

Willy Caballero is carried around Wembley by Wilfried Bony after winning the Capital One Cup for Manchester City

The keeper set a Malaga record in 2011, going 480 minutes without conceding a goal in La Liga. But he has started just two Premier League games in each of the past two seasons for Manchester City and has admitted he has struggled with being second-choice to Joe Hart.

Last November Caballero said: “In my last game, I made a mistake. But these things can happen even if you’re playing every week. What happened to me, when I have not had the chance to avenge that error the following week, the whole world still thinks about it.”